Often I say that it doesn’t imply something, however I don’t know if I can say that I actually consider that. To be clear I’m not saying that it means quite a bit, however we’re speaking about 20 years right here. 20 years of something is just not nothing by any stretch of the definition of all of it.
Simply take into consideration how a lot life occurs in 20 years. You’ll be able to’t dismiss it.
What am I speaking about, you ask? With the NFL season lastly right here (candy potato pie that felt good to say out loud) our ambitions are as tall as ever with the Dallas Cowboys, even when the offseason that obtained us right here was underwhelming.
The purpose, because it has been for nearly 30 years now (much more time than 20), is for them to in the end add a sixth Lombardi Trophy on the entrance of The Star in Frisco. If historical past is any indicator, we’ll wind up disenchanted.
Whereas we’re speaking about historical past, it’s value mentioning that it’s a stream the Cowboys must swim towards close to one among their extra speedy targets. You don’t have to win your division to enter the playoffs as everyone knows, however doing so could be sensible for the Cowboys seeing as their final highway win within the postseason earlier than the one in Tampa two years in the past was actually the 1992 NFC Championship Recreation. Profitable the division ensures a house recreation, and although that didn’t assist in any respect final 12 months, anyone affiliated with any staff will let you know that’s step primary.
It’s a massive step for the Cowboys.
The NFC East has not had a repeat winner since 2004
Up high was a reference to one thing that we seek advice from round this time of 12 months – the truth that the NFC East has not had a repeat division champion since 2004.
NFC East Champions, 2004-Current
2004: Philadelphia Eagles
2005: New York Giants
2006: Philadelphia Eagles
2007: Dallas Cowboys
2008: New York Giants
2009: Dallas Cowboys
2010: Philadelphia Eagles
2011: New York Giants
2012: Washington franchise
2013: Philadelphia Eagles
2014: Dallas Cowboys
2015: Washington franchise
2016: Dallas Cowboys
2017: Philadelphia Eagles
2018: Dallas Cowboys
2019: Philadelphia Eagles
2020: Washington Soccer Crew
2021: Dallas Cowboys
2022: Philadelphia Eagles
2023: Dallas Cowboys
There are two Tremendous Bowl Champions (the 2007 Giants have been a Wild Card staff) and loads of primary seeds sprinkled inside that group. Moreover there’s a beneath .500 staff that Washington trotted out in 2020 (no person bothers to carry that up when speaking concerning the Buccaneers’ playoff wins via the Tremendous Bowl that 12 months, however hey, details and no matter). Needles to say the NFC East has seen mainly every thing for 20 years now.
Besides a repeat champion.
This brings us again to the purpose up high. Do I consider that the 2005 Giants have something to do with the 2024 Cowboys? Are the 2010 Eagles in any approach tied to the 2024 Commanders? Clearly the solutions right here aren’t any, however how can we are saying that this implies nothing when it has been 20 years?
At most that is all a continued run of bizarre coincidences impacted by quite a lot of issues that fill each NFL season and we shouldn’t overreact to it in any form of critical approach, however once more, it’s a unusual factor and makes betting on the Cowboys to win the division this 12 months (even when the offseason hadn’t been irritating) really feel a bit scary.
With regards to betting, the Cowboys should not favored to win it at season’s starting:
Odds to win the NFC East at Week 1, in response to FanDuel Sportsbook:
Philadelphia Eagles…………………………… -140
Dallas Cowboys……………………………….. +175
Washington Commanders……………….. +1100
New York Giants………………………………. +1600
Simply because the chances are what they’re doesn’t imply that that is unimaginable by any stretch, but it surely once more provides to the this-doesn’t-feel-all-too-likely-ness of all of it.
Contemplate that Dallas is tied for the fourth-best odds to win the NFC and lead the Atlanta Falcons on this regard regardless of the Falcons being the favorites to win the NFC South, a testomony to what we are able to anticipate from that division.
Odds to win the NFC at Week 1, in response to FanDuel Sportsbook:
San Francisco 49ers………………………….. +260
Detroit Lions…………………………………….. +500
Philadelphia Eagles……………………………. +600
Inexperienced Bay Packers…………………………….. +900
Dallas Cowboys………………………………… +900
Atlanta Falcons………………………………… +1200
For what it’s value, the Inexperienced Bay Packers are additionally second in odds to win their division. Possibly that makes you are feeling higher about final 12 months’s Wild Card playoff loss, however I might wager nearly every thing on the earth that it doesn’t.
Do you assume the Cowboys will win the NFC East in 2024? Or the NFC?
Now could be the time to place it on file at the beginning begins for actual.
